A moment in gaming: Choosing your first Pokémon

It’s one of the hardest decisions most gamers have to make. In fact, one little choice has now become a standard for childhood gaming. Choosing your starter Pokémon was (and still is) no simple throwaway decision. The choice you make defines your training style, your difficulty, and ultimately your progress throughout the game.

In this new ongoing series, we’ll be looking at iconic moments and games from video gaming’s past. It is #ThrowbackThursday, after all! For this edition, it’s back to the beginning of your journey to becoming a Pokémaster: the moment you chose your starter Pokémon.

Pokémon (or Pocket Monsters, for you die-hard fans) debuted in the ’90s as two handheld games for the Nintendo Game Boy. After gaining critical success in Japan, two updated versions—Red and Blue—were released internationally and became a global success. The idea spawned into card games, toys, a theme park, an extremely popular TV series, several new video games, and so much more from this billion-dollar franchise. In fact, the franchise is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Each new version always begins with a mission: Gotta catch ’em all. To do this, you’ll need the first member of your team. Professor Oak gives you three options (just one in the Yellow version), and only a few details to make your choice right at the start. No pressure or anything! This will only be your first friend and ally in the game. You won’t get to catch the other two unless you trade with someone.

Go back to your six-year-old self. Ignore the urge to wear denim overalls and eat Dunkaroos. You’ve got three pixelated pokéballs in front of you!

Option #1

Grass Type—Bulbasaur (think of Chikorita, Treecko, Turtwig, Snivy, or Chespin, based on other versions you played)

A simpler option for the first choices. Grass types would rank more on the defensive side than the offensive, but only by a small margin. They put up an average fight against the first, second, and third gym leaders, and their attacks aren’t too hard to understand. They are weaker in comparison to the water and fire-starter Pokémon you could choose, but they have a good resistance to water.

It’s the debate of offense vs. defense. If you want a stronger attack with more firepower (pun intended), then the fire type is for you. You’ll be able to take down any grass-type enemies along the way, but the challenges will be slightly stacked against you. The first two gym battles—rock and water—have a greater advantage, and fire types are weaker defensively in general. But it’s all worth it to get Charizard in the end!

Option #3

Water Type—Squirtle (think of Totodile, Mudkip, Piplup, Oshawott, or Froakie)

The water type is a good option for newbie players. They’re stronger offensively and defensively, and they pack a punch against the first gym leader when you need a helping hand to just start the game. While the games do get tougher as the levels continue, and the water type is weaker (or equally matched) to ongoing gym challenges, Squirtle is a good option to train to have on the team. Plus, thanks to the anime, you can’t help but say “Squirtle! Squirtle! Squirtle!” over and over again.

Bonus Option

Electric Type—Pikachu

What do you have against Pikachu? It’s the only option in the Yellow version, and they’re a powerful ally. Plus, on the bright side: You get to imagine yourself as Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town on your journey to catch them all. This is the perfect one for all you anime fans.

What would you choose? Vote in the poll below—then share your favorite Pokémon gaming moments with us!

Expression Of JoyThe Brady Bunch: Groovy! The Bradys: Ritual hugging Married…With Children: ”Oh, great.” Thirtysomething: ”Of course I’m happy for you. Really. But what about me? Why does it always have to be about you? The Flintstones: ”Yabba-dabba doo

Expression Of Rage

The Brady Bunch: ”Hmmm…” The Bradys: ”If you back away from something you really want, then you’re a quitter!” (the angriest any Brady has ever been) Married…With Children: ”Aaagh, God, take me from this miserable life!” Thirtysomething: ”I’m not angry, OK?” The Flintstones: ”Willllmaaaa!”

Typical ProblemThe Brady Bunch: Marcia and her rival both want to be the prom queen. The Bradys: Bobby gets paralyzed. Married…With Children: Al doesn’t buy his family Christmas presents. Thirtysomething: Nancy gets cancer. The Flintstones: Fred and Barney are staying out too late.

Typical SolutionThe Brady Bunch: The prom committee decides to have two queens. The Bradys: Bobby gets married. Married…With Children: They hate him. Thirtysomething: If only we knew… The Flintstones: Wilma and Betty decide to follow them.

Attitude Toward SexThe Brady Bunch: Never heard of it The Bradys: Omigod — even Cindy does it! Married…With Children: Peg: Yes. Al: No. Thirtysomething: They didn’t get all those kids by accident. The Flintstones: Prehistoric

How Spouses FightThe Brady Bunch: They don’t. The Bradys: Infrequently, but it happens Married…With Children: Tooth and nail Thirtysomething: They stop talking The Flintstones: Fred and Barney go bowling while Wilma and Betty max out their charge cards.

How Kids Get Into TroubleThe Brady Bunch: Greg takes a puff of a cigarette. The Bradys: Carol’s grandson steals her business cards and sticks them in the spokes of Bobby’s wheelchair. Married…With Children: By committing felonies Thirtysomething: Ethan plays with a forbidden toy rocket. The Flintstones: They don’t.

How They’re Punished

The Brady Bunch: ”It’s not what you did, honey — it’s that you couldn’t come to us.” The Bradys ”Next time, ask.” Married…With Children: By the authorities Thirtysomething: It blows up in his face. The Flintstones: They’re not.

What Family Does For FunThe Brady Bunch: Takes special three-part vacations to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon The Bradys: Has flashbacks Married…With Children: Exchanges insults Thirtysomething: Talks The Flintstones: Attends showings of The Monster at the Bedrock Drive-In

Unsolved MysteriesThe Brady Bunch: How exactly did Carol’s first husband and Mike’s first wife die? The Bradys: What’s with Marcia’s new face and Bobby’s blonde hair Married…With Children: What kind of hair spray does Peg use? Thirtysomething: Why did Nancy take Elliot back? What do Gary and Susanna see in each other? The Flintstones: How does Barney’s shirt stay on if he has no shoulders? Where do Fred and Wilma plug in their TV?

Worst BehaviorThe Brady Bunch: The Brady children once made Alice feel under-appreciated.

Best Reason To WatchThe Brady Bunch: This is what life should be. The Bradys: They’re all grown-ups now! Married…With Children: Terry Rakolta hates it. Thirtysomething (Tie) This is your life. This isn’t your life. The Flintstones: This is what life might have been.

Best Reason Not To WatchThe Brady Bunch: Blurred vision from rerun overdoses. The Bradys: You’re all grown-ups now. Married…With Children: She has a point. Thirtysomething: After a while, you think it’s real. The Flintstones: The Simpsons